Indiana House narrowly votes to trim same-sex marriage ban language

9:21 PM,
Jan. 27, 2014

Opponents of HJR 3 celebrate outside the Indiana House of Representatives as the 52-43 vote striking the second sentence from the proposed constitutional amendment on marriage was announced on Monday, January 27, 2014. (Charlie Nye/The Indianapolis Star)

Written by

Tony Cook and Barb Berggoetz
The Indianapolis Star

In an atmosphere of rapidly shifting opinions on gay marriage, nearly two dozen Indiana House Republicans bucked their leadership to strip a same-sex marriage ban of the clause opponents find most objectionable.

The House voted 52-43 to remove the proposed constitutional amendment's second sentence, which would have banned civil unions and similar arrangements. That leaves only the first sentence, which would still ban gay marriages.

If the altered version is adopted by both chambers of the General Assembly, the measure would not go to voters this November as supporters - including ...